Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fees?
In Ontario, Psychologists’ fees are set based on a fee range that has been recommended by the Ontario Psychological Association. All fees at the practice fall within this range, but vary depending on the nature of the service. You can get in touch to learn about the fees for services you might be interested in.
Are your services covered by OHIP or insurance?
Unfortunately, psychological services are not covered by OHIP. However, most extended health care plans provide some coverage for psychological services and some individuals might also be able to claim costs for these services as a tax deduction for income taxes. You can reach out directly to your insurance company to ask whether they cover psychological services, and which services are covered. Similarly, you can check with your accountant or tax specialist to find out whether the cost of services is tax deductible for you.
Is information I share confidential?
Psychologists are regulated health professionals, and therefore the confidentiality of your information is protected under Ontario law. No information about your identity, content of therapy sessions, or results of assessments can be shared with others unless you provide informed consent for specific information to be shared. Based on the law in Ontario, there are some limits and exceptions when it comes to confidentiality, many of which are related to ensuring safety of clients and others. These limits of confidentiality is outlined in detail in the practice’s consent forms, and will also be discussed with you during your first appointment. Another important thing to note is that in a private practice setting in Ontario, children who are 12 years of age or older are able to provide informed consent for their own services (so long as they are capable to do so); this means that they also have the same right to confidentiality of their information. Finally, given the rural setting of the practice, there are some unique factors related to privacy that sometimes arise; Dr. Schell will discuss these things with you if they become relevant.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Fees are due upon receipt of invoices, and can be paid using e-transfer, cheque, cash, or credit card. The practice offers the option of automated billing to a credit card for clients who wish to use this form of payment. You can change your form of payment at any time.
Is there a sliding scale for fees?
In order to help make services more accessible to the community, Dr. Schell offers a sliding scale for fees (i.e., reduced rate). When you contact the practice, simply mention that a sliding scale for fees is something you’d like to discuss and we can be sure to address it when we speak. Dr. Schell also offers a limited number of pro-bono (i.e., no fee) spots for individual and group therapy. There is currently a waitlist for these spots, but you can get in touch and ask to be placed on the waitlist for one of these spots if you require no-cost service.
Do I need a referral to access services?
Although Dr. Schell does accept referrals, a referral is not needed to access services. If you are interested in therapy or assessment, you can simply contact the clinic to book an intake call, or you can book a free consult call to discuss what you’re looking for and find out more about these services.